The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that Ranjani Srinivasan, an Indian doctoral student at Columbia University, voluntarily left the country. Earlier, the Department of State had canceled her visa on March 5, 2025, citing security concerns. As a result, she used the CBP Home App to self-deport on March 11.
Homeland Security Secretary Responds
Meanwhile, US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem confirmed Srinivasan’s departure. She emphasized that the US will not tolerate individuals who support terrorism. “It is a privilege to be granted a visa to live and study in the United States of America. When you advocate for violence and terrorism, that privilege should be revoked, and you should not be in this country,” she stated. Furthermore, she referred to Srinivasan as one of “the Columbia University terrorist sympathizers” and supported her self-deportation.
Visa Crackdown Follows Campus Protests
In recent months, US authorities have tightened their scrutiny of foreign students involved in pro-Palestinian protests. Similarly, another Columbia student, Leqaa Kordia, a Palestinian from the West Bank, faced legal action. ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) officers arrested her in Newark for overstaying her student visa, which had expired in January 2022. Previously, authorities had also arrested her in April 2024 for participating in pro-Hamas demonstrations at Columbia University.
Srinivasan’s Academic Background
On the other hand, Srinivasan had an impressive academic record. She was pursuing a PhD in Urban Planning at Columbia University and had received a Fulbright scholarship. Additionally, she held an M.Phil from Columbia University, a Master’s from Harvard University, and a Bachelor of Design from CEPT University in India.
According to her bio on NYU Wagner’s website, her research focused on “the evolving nature of land-labour relations in peri-urban statutory towns in India.” Moreover, she explored “the political economy of development, the spatial politics of land, and the sociology of labour.”
Authorities Withhold Further Details
Despite the allegations, DHS has not disclosed any specific evidence linking Srinivasan to Hamas. However, officials confirmed that they obtained video footage of her departure via the CBP Home App.
